Perhaps it was prophetic that artist C.J. "Cindy" Bryant named her painting "The Chosen One."

For it is, indeed, that.

Bryant's painting of a majestic old-growth tree in a winter mountain landscape was chosen as Montana's official painting for the 2008 Capitol Christmas tree project.

The art contest is part of the National Capitol Christmas Tree effort that will send a perfect Montana Christmas tree, more than 60 feet tall, to Washington for display on the West Lawn of the Capitol.

"The Chosen One" can be viewed in the State Capitol Rotunda with 11 other pieces from the art contest through Sept. 19.

Then it will hang in the Forest Service Chief's office for a year, before joining previous years' paintings in "The Tree Gallery."

"When I initially started painting it," said Bryant, "I thought this (tree) is the chosen one."

So this became the painting's name.

A painting's image and title often come simultaneously, she said, when she picks up her paintbrush.

A self-taught painter, Bryant took two, one-day painting classes in 2005. Since then, she has been painting with oils and acrylics any spare moment she can get.

"As a child...I always loved art, but life kind of gets in the way," she said.

Her inspiration comes from "Montana's fantastic scenery and wildlife.

"We do a lot of backpacking and hiking."

She collects images in her mind, as well as taking photos on her travels.

Her current piece is her view from inside an ice cave on the way to Granite Peak.

"I also live in the mountains," she added. "It's like camping every day with facilities."

And inspiration is all around her. Out the window of her dining room -- her studio -- is a view of trees and Red Mountain. And all around are gardens.

"I like flowers, too," she said. "I have massive flower gardens. I love color. My gardens have every color you can find."

Hibiscus, hydrangea, liatris, peonies, poppies, azaleas, roses and iris are just a few of her favorites to grow and paint.

Her other passion is ceramics, which she jumped into in 2006 -- buying clay, a rolling pin and a kiln.

"I do mostly functional pieces -- teapots, bird feeders and bird houses.

"Some of my pottery is simple," she said, "and some hard. The clay decides what it wants to do and you have to convince it to do what you want it to do.

"I do purse teapots. They look like a purse or handbag. These are the hardest -- to keep the seams attached. That's the physical part of my art, and the painting is the relaxing."

Bryant blames her art on boredom.

"I get bored really easy," she said.

And then she gets busy.

Click here to see additional information about the 2008 Capitol Christmas Tree and the route "the People's Tree" will follow from Montana to Washington in November.

Click here to view additional work by Bryant.

Reporter Marga Lincoln: marga.lincoln@helenair.com or 447-4074